The Los Angeles Lakers are a win away from hitting the second round of the NBA Playoffs. All they need is to beat the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday. Portland, however, will go all out, as it tries to avoid an early vacation. Check out the preview of this game below.
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Betting Preview for the Portland Trail Blazers vs Los Angeles Lakers NBA Playoffs Round 1 Game 5 on August 29, 2020
Where: Walt Disney World, Orlando
When: Saturday, August 29, 2020, 9:00 PM ET
Line: Portland Trail Blazers (odds) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (odds) – view all 2020 NBA lines
TV Broadcast: TNT
Betting on the Portland Trail Blazers (odds)
Regular Season Record: 35-39
“Not good.” That’s what Blazers head coach Terry Stotts said of his team’s status after getting destroyed by the Lakers in Game 4, 135-115. The Blazers were hardly competitive at any point in the game. The Blazers started a big lineup that featured both Hassan Whiteside and Jusuf Nurkic, but it didn’t stop the Lakers from dominating and virtually ending the game in the first half. Whiteside only had 11 points, while Nurkic was way better with 20 points and 13 rebounds. That performance was not enough to compensate for Damian Lillard’s bad game. Lillard shot just 3 for 9 for just 11 points and exited the game in the third quarter with an apparent knee injury. Lillard’s status is, without a doubt, the greatest concern for Portland right now. Lillard is set to have an MRI on Tuesday, so that’s something to watch out for. Lillard is averaging 24.3 points in the playoffs to lead Portland. Right behind him is CJ McCollum with 20.0 per contest.
The over is 7-3 in the Blazers’ last 10 games as the road team.
Betting on the Los Angeles Lakers (odds)
Regular Season Record: 52-19
LA Lakers Betting Guide: View here (it’s free!)
It wasn’t that long ago when many were writing the Lakers off after the team lost to Portland in Game 1. Days later, tunes have changed, and it appears as though the Lakers are inevitably on their way to the second round. LeBron James has silenced the naysayers again with a scintillating performance in Game 4. The four-time MVP scored 30 points, dished out 10 assists, and grabbed six rebounds in just 28 minutes on the floor. Anthony Davis and Kyle Kuzma each scored 18 points to provide ample support to The King. The Lakers are in full control of the series with how things are going. The Blazers have made adjustments, but James and the Lakers have not been slowed down since their loss in the series opener. So far in the playoffs, James is averaging 25.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 10.3 assists per game, while also shooting 55.7 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from deep.
The Lakers are 3-0 against the spread in their last three games.
Writer’s Prediction
The Lakers win, 112-106.
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